The Strategic Waste Prevent and Management Plan of the Azores (PEPGRA) was published today in the Official Gazette and enters into force Wednesday, March 30, with the primary goal of reducing waste and increase its reuse, minimising to the maximum extent possible the disposal in landfills or energy recovery as the final destination.
 
By 2020, the Azores want to prepare at least 50% of municipal waste for reuse and recycling, including paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, metal, wood and biodegradable waste.
 
Waste management policy is regarded by the Government of the Azores as an asset to the quality of life of citizens and to the competitiveness of economic activities. In this regard, the Region has invested about 40 million Euros in the construction of waste processing centres on seven of the nine islands.
 
With the implementation and entry into operation of this network, it was possible to recycle over 10,360 tonnes of waste collected in containers of selective collection systems in 2015, corresponding to an increase of 9.2% compared to 2014.
 
PEPGRA is the sectoral plan that has been subject to wide public consultation and to the assessment of the Regional Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development. It follows the current Plan for the Management of Waste in the Azores and is aimed at the environmental protection of the Region and the promotion of its social and economic development.
 
The plan establishes the strategic guidelines of the waste prevent and management policy at regional level, involving operators and private institutions.